How Far is it from Interest to Profession
As we step into the college campus, we are greeted with the immersion of various disciplines. Each individual possesses unique interests and talents, and in the face of this diverse world of knowledge, we can't help but ponder: should we pursue expertise in a specific field or broaden our horizons across multiple subjects? How far is the gap between our interests and our chosen profession?
The pursuit of expertise is common advice we hear in academics and careers. It emphasizes the depth of knowledge in a specialized field and the importance of honing professional skills. We are told to possess a unique skill or talent, becoming an expert in a particular domain, in order to establish a firm foothold in the professional world. However, does this mean that we should confine ourselves to a single domain and disregard other knowledge?
Broad-based learning is equally indispensable. It means that we should delve into multiple disciplines, not be confined to our own specialization, and expand our knowledge horizons. Proper time allocation is crucial; we must avoid being overly biased toward or neglecting any particular field. Using a metaphor, we can vividly understand the downside of solely specializing without being diverse: it's like a person with only one leg trying to compete in a kicking contest, destined to lose.
But can we truly achieve both expertise and breadth of knowledge? We need to consider two aspects: what work we can excel in and what work can make the greatest contribution to society. Both considerations are crucial, but they seem to give rise to a state of decision paralysis.
When it comes to making career choices, we can draw some insights from the life of Maimonides. Maimonides was primarily a doctor dedicated to healing others, working diligently for 10 to 12 hours a day. In addition to his medical practice, he authored numerous philosophical works during his spare time. Maimonides believed that one should live a fulfilling life. He taught us that if we spend our days doing things that do not interest us, how can we possibly succeed? We can't resist our true preferences deep within our hearts. Whatever we don't like, no matter how much we force ourselves, we can't do well. Thus, the first step is to engage in activities that genuinely interest us.
Next, we need to leverage our strengths and do what we excel in. Each individual has unique advantages, and we should combine our interests with our strengths and consider them comprehensively. For instance, if you are a person with a height of only 1.5 meters and aspire to excel on the basketball court, then you should capitalize on your strengths and choose a field that suits you.
At the same time, we should not neglect ethical considerations. Although we pursue personal interests and strengths, we should also contemplate how we can contribute to society. A sense of social responsibility is a crucial factor to consider in career choices. However, we need not be overly idealistic, believing that the world is corrupted and we alone are pure, out of sync with the rest of the world. The world may be mundane, but we can find our value amidst the mundanity.
The gap between interests and profession is not insurmountable. We need not sacrifice breadth for expertise or expertise for breadth. One should engage in activities that genuinely interest them, leveraging their strengths and doing practical work to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. In career choices, we should pursue both personal interests and strengths while considering how we can contribute to society. In this way, we can strike a balance between interests and profession, paving our way towards success.